Archive for January, 2009
Central Indiana has seen the devastating fallout of housing downturn
Posted by: | CommentsJanuary 30, 2009
Dear Editor:
There is one important element missing from the landmark economic stimulus package now being assembled on Capitol Hill. Little attention has been given to solving the devastating impact of the housing downturn, which is a significant reason that the financial crisis continues to escalate at an alarming rate. Over the past couple of years, more than 3 million jobs in construction and related fields have been lost nationwide, $3.5 trillion of home equity has evaporated, and home sales and production have plunged to record lows. The collapse of the housing market eventually resulted in the financial meltdown and credit crunch we saw last fall and now has spilled over into the general economy with devastating results.
Here in Central Indiana, we are seeing firsthand the devastating fallout of the housing downturn. At the peak of housing in 2005, there were 13,202 homes built in the Central Indiana region. Just 3 years later in 2008, we have built only 4,566- a 65% decrease. In the year of construction, the net decrease of 8,636 single family homes built in the Indianapolis region would result in an estimated $1.1 billion in lost local income, $88.8 million in lost tax and other revenue for local governments and 21,503 fewer jobs locally (almost twice the number of jobs as Indianapolis’ largest employer).
Congress must fix this fundamental problem in order to put the economy back on the path to growth and prosperity. At the same time as our lawmakers work to reduce mortgage foreclosures, they must provide incentives that will bring home buyers back into the marketplace. Providing a home buyer tax credit that could be applied toward a downpayment would be an obvious stimulus to encourage consumers to confidently purchase a home. Based on the affordability of local housing prices, the credit would provide more purchasing power in the local marketplace. The proposed $7,500 credit would go to all home buyers, with income limitations; and it would not need to be repaid. The credit would be available only until the end of this year, sending a strong signal to families who have been sitting on the fence that they need to act quickly to take advantage of this opportunity.
We are not asking for a bailout; rather, we are asking Congress to put money back in the hands of the consumer. America’s consumers and lenders won’t regain the confidence our economy so desperately needs until they see an end to the downward spiral in housing values. As history shows, housing is the sector that leads the economy out of recession. Congress must make meaningful provisions in the stimulus legislation that will enable housing to return to that role as quickly as possible.
Sincerely,
Pete Hils
President, Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis
New Residential Home Building Safety Awards Announced
Posted by: | CommentsThe MICCS Residential Safety Council has developed two safety awards for 2009 that are integrated into the MICCS “Excellence in Safety” Awards program.
The MICCS “Excellence in Safety” award is given to a company that has a high level of safety performance and leads the industry in safety initiatives. This year, trade partners and builders can submit for the Residential Trade Partner And Residential Builder Categories respectively. The deadline for Excellence in Safety is February 27th.
The awards will be presented at the 2009 MICCS Anniversary and Awards Banquet at the Indiana Convention Center’s Sagamore Ballroom on Thursday, April 16.
This is your time to show the industry your company is a safety leader and also a great chance to market your company’s commitment to safety to over a thousand people that attend the banquet each year!
The other awards for this year are:
Burnie McGinnis Award
The Burnie McGinnis Award is presented to a person rather than a company. It is the most prestigious award presented to a person by MICCS. It is named after the father of Hoosier basketball legend and MICCS supporter George McGinnis. Because the award is so prestigious, it is not awarded every year. The award is given to a person whose specific acts or a pattern of acts has made an impact on a job site or a safety program.
Outstanding Craft Person Award
The Outstanding Craft Person Award gives every MICCS Member Company an opportunity to publicly honor a craft person whom they believe warrants such honor. It is intended to honor employees who work in the field, up to the level of foreman.
Zero Injury Award
The Zero Injury Award is given to companies whose craft persons working for the company have not suffered a work related accident resulting in loss of consciousness, restriction of work or motion, transfer to another job or requiring medical treatment other than first-aid.
If you have any questions, please contact Scott Grimes or Adam Campagna in the MICCS office, 317-328-2150 or www.miccs.org.
Builders Association Award Winners Announced
Posted by: | CommentsThe Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) named its highest recognition award winners during the 44th annual Janus Ball held January 17, 2009 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.
Winners were:
Builder of the Year: Pete Gray, Executive Homes Construction Inc.
Builder of the Year is presented to an individual builder member who has worked diligently on behalf of the industry and the association over the past year.
Gray has been in the industry for well over 15 years and has been a member of BAGI since 1997. In October, he was re-elected to the BAGI Board of Directors. He previously served on the Board from 2001 – 2007; serving as the Association’s President in 2006.
Since joining BAGI, his company has participated in many Home-A-Ramas including the shows in 1999, 2001, 2003, 2006 and the 2008 show at the Willows in Zionsville – where Executive Homes received the People’s Choice Award.
He is currently a member of the Hamilton County Builders Council and Building Partners of Central Indiana.
Associate of the Year: Randy McKnight
This award is presented to an individual associate member who has returned significant time and service to the industry over the past year.
During 2008, McKnight was a member of the Hendricks County Council and the Johnson County Council…but was most active with Hamilton County Council. There he served on the Board of Directors; was a member of the golf committee; and was council representative to the Hamilton County Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors.
In addition to his council involvement, McKnight was very active with BAGI. He is a member of the BAGI Board of Directors serving as Treasurer in 2009. From Board meetings to general membership meetings-he was always ready to help. He took his responsibility as Home-A-Rama Committee Chairman very seriously spending countless hours onsite before and during the show making sure everything ran smoothly. This past year, in addition to chairing the meetings this event requires, he found time to travel to Cincinnati’s home show with the BAGI staff in an effort to find ways to improve the show.
Esprit de Corps: Micah Hill, The Re-Development Group
This award is given to someone who embodies the “Spirit of the Troops.” It is presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding member involvement and who has become involved within the last three years.
Since becoming active with BAGI in 2006, Hill has maintained a steady level of involvement.
As Co-Chairman on the BAGI Green Committee, he has been proactive in establishing the mission statement, the committee objectives and in developing talking points used by the Association and its members as it relates to green building initiatives and sustainability. During 2008, he spent many hours presenting on behalf of the Committee at Council meetings, a BAGI Board of Directors meeting and to the Indiana Land Use Consortium.
Hill is also very active in the Building Partners of Central Indiana group. For this organization, he serves on the Board of Directors and as Chairman of the Vendor Committee.
Mike Boeke Outstanding Service Award: Jeff Scripture, Harrison & Moberly
The award bears the name of the late Mike Boeke of Davidson Industries whose daily devotion and service to the industry, community, and association was always above and beyond the call of duty.
This award follows Scripture’s previous Association recognition, as the first ever Esprit de Corps winner in 1997 and as Associate of the Year in 2000.
His industry involvement started at the county council level where he served as past president of the Hancock County Council as well as serving on their economic development, government affairs, and public relations committees.
A member of the BAGI board of directors since 1998, he was board secretary for two years and most recently served as parliamentarian. His BAGI committee involvement includes the Builder Standards, Economic Development, Nominations and Governance, Strategic Planning, Membership, and Political Action Committees.
Scripture’s involvement with the Indiana Builders Association includes parliamentarian, member of the Executive Committee, state director, board member of the Housing Protection Fund and member of the Land Use Committee.
Firm Foundation Award: WTHR-TV 13/Video Indiana
This award is presented to a BAGI member firm that has demonstrated commitment to the building industry through its involvement with the Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis.
WTHR-TV 13 has been a member of the Builders Association since 2004 and during this time, they have been instrumental in increasing consumer awareness of the Builders Association and its members.
For the last several years, WTHR has been the exclusive television media partner for the Quality Assurance Builder Standards message, the Parade of Homes and Home-A-Rama. Through this partnership, BAGI has been able to maximize its media and event exposure. In addition, WTHR has made available top marketing experts to the Association and continues to strive to understand and assist in reaching BAGI’s strategic plan objectives. They have developed the New Homes and Communities website and prominently feature Association news on the Homes Central section of WTHR.com. Day in and day out, the staff of WTHR continues to find new ways to extend the Association’s message both on-air and online.
This year’s Janus Ball was sponsored by Citizens Gas, Best Cabinets, Indianapolis Power and Light, Frost Brown Todd Attorneys, Airtron, M/I Homes, Bedrock Builders, Indiana Geothermal, Speedway SuperAmerica, and Vectren Energy Delivery.
The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis is a professional trade association representing residential homebuilders. For more information call 317-236-6330 or visit www.BAGI.com.
Forbes names Indy one of 25 strongest housing markets
Posted by: | CommentsTo compile this list, they asked Moody’s Economy.com to look at metro areas with populations over 500,000 to find those closest to recovery. The firm prepared forecasts through 2011 and compared them to prices in the second quarter of 2008, which are the latest figures available, to calculate how far prices will likely fall before reaching bottom. The percent figures are price drops between second quarter 2008 and the projected bottom.
Indianapolis Metro
Population: 1,795,100
Bottom expected: late 2010
Forecast price change to bottom: -3.2%
Love both your spouse and your house this Valentine’s Day
Posted by: | CommentsCase Handyman and Remodeling of Carmel will host a free kitchen remodeling seminar on Saturday, February 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at their design center located at 108 West Carmel Drive, Carmel. This will be the first in a series of free monthly seminars relating to home remodeling and renovation.
Larry Greene, president of Case, will discuss how to choose a kitchen remodeler, remodeling design ideas and trends, as well as what to expect during a kitchen remodel, how to create a budget, and how to live through the process with minimal disruption.
Attendees are asked to RSVP by Monday, February 9th by email to caseadmin@indy.rr.com or by calling 317-846-2600.
Case Handyman and Remodeling of Carmel is an Angie’s List Super Service Award winner for 2008 in four categories including kitchen and bathroom remodeling. Case was also recently recognized by Qualified Remodeler magazine as one of the top 500 remodeling firms in the nation.
About Case
Case Handyman and Remodeling is an award-winning and highly-reviewed full-service remodeling organization serving the Hamilton, Boone and Marion County areas since 2003. Backed by 47 years of award-winning remodeling industry experience, Case is the nation’s largest full service remodeling organization, providing kitchen and bath remodeling, general remodeling and handyman services with in-house designers and lead carpenters and a 2-year warranty on all projects. Appointment scheduling is available by calling 317-846-2600 or online at www.caseremodeling.com.
Preventing Frozen Pipes
Posted by: | Commentsthanks to www.StateFarm.com
An average of a quarter-million families have their homes ruined and their lives disrupted each winter, all because of water pipes that freeze and burst.
And recovering from frozen pipes is not as simple as calling a plumber. An eighth-inch (three millimeter) crack in a pipe can spew up to 250 gallons (946 liters) of water a day. Both plastic (PVC) and copper pipes can burst.
By taking a few simple precautions, you can save yourself the mess, money and aggravation frozen pipes cause.
Before the cold hits
Insulate pipes in your home’s crawl spaces and attic. These exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. Remember – the more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be.
Heat tape or thermostatically-controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes. Be sure to use products approved by an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc., and only for the use intended (exterior or interior). Closely follow all manufacturers’ installation and operation instructions.
Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out and the heat in. With severe cold, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze.
Disconnect garden hoses and, if practical, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house.
When the mercury drops
A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.
Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to uninsulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.
Before you go away
Set the thermostat in your house no lower than 55°F (12°C).
Ask a friend or neighbor to check your house daily to make sure it’s warm enough to prevent freezing or
Shut off and drain the water system. Be aware that if you have a fire protection sprinkler system in your house, it will be deactivated when you shut off the water.
If your pipes freeze
Don’t take chances. If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber. If you detect that your water pipes have frozen and burst, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve in the house; leave the water faucets turned on. (Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shut-off valve is and how to open and close it.)
Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame. Water damage is preferable to burning down your house. You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe with the warm air from a hair dryer. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe. Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water because you could be electrocuted.
Top home building trends for 2009
Posted by: | Comments
Smaller, Smarter and Greener Top the List
Private retreats, smart storage and energy efficiency are in, along with smaller homes, an affordable price tag and healthy green living spaces.
These are some of the trends in new home construction for 2009 from builders who say the financial climate, a growing eco-consciousness and the tendency toward cocooning has led to a rethinking of home design, with more attention being paid to size, economy and ecology.
“Buyers right now are focused on an affordable monthly mortgage payment, low utility bills and a home that fits their lifestyle while maximizing every square foot,” said Erika Frantz, Vice President of Sales and Design Studio. “They want all the rooms and every bit of space in the home to work for them — and without sacrificing luxury.”
The “less is more” idea has some builders scaling down the size of their homes. Beazer, for instance, found that by eliminating walls and underused hallways, it is able to use every square foot in the home more efficiently and “design homes that may be smaller, but feel just as big,” said Frantz.
Many think 2009 will go down as the year green goes mainstream and homebuyers become much more savvy about the need for eco-friendly options. A recent study of 2,300 homeowners by the National Association of Home Builders found that more than 50 percent of those surveyed said they would pay $5,000 to $11,000 more upfront for a new house if they could save on their utility bills.
Beazer is among the only national homebuilders including energy and water savings features as standard in every new home. Programmable thermostats, energy-saving appliances, compact fluorescent light bulbs, better insulation and advanced HVAC systems help keep utility bills down — with estimated savings of at least $500 annually — and are part of Beazer’s ongoing commitment to move toward more sustainable building practices.
Other trends worth watching include:
Smarter storage. Making every inch count translates to more room for smarter storage, which is fast becoming a necessity in nearly every room in the house. Must-haves include closet organization systems, home entertainment centers, and laundry rooms with built-in storage that keep soaps, detergent and other cleaning supplies behind closed doors.
Cleaner air. Mothers with small children increasingly are more concerned with air quality. Builders like Beazer are using paint that is low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well as improved air filters that trap harmful allergens to contribute to a healthier indoor environment for the whole family.
Built-in flexibility. As baby boomers age, manufacturers are developing new products and are re-thinking others to help people better navigate their home life. Shelves that slide out for easy reach and dishwashers that can be loaded from a wheelchair help make life simpler without skimping on style.
Uncompromised kitchen. A hard-working and great looking kitchen remains the most important area of the home. An abundance of rich cabinetry, spacious center islands, and sleek appliances that look built in ensure the busiest room in the home efficiently accommodates a bevy of activity.
Pet care. TV programs for foodies have elevated the kitchen to chef status, and now animal subject channels are doing the same for pet owners. Enter the pet care center where you can wash and pamper your pooch in the privacy of your own home — without making a mess of the bathroom.
Shades of gray. The search for a comfortable and tranquil home environment and a resurgence of softer pastels from the mid-century modern era of the ‘50s and ‘60s is leading a trend toward multiple shades of gray on walls and soft pink — everywhere. Also look for vibrant dabs of color on kitchen backsplashes and bathrooms.
Outdoor living. The trend toward living outdoors continues to flourish. Outdoor kitchens with everything from elaborate grills, refrigerators, televisions and wine coolers are sought-after items for both single-family homebuyers and those who prefer a condo or townhouse.
MarketGraphics Housing Analysis Online
Posted by: | CommentsMarketGraphics Research has released their multiregional housing analysis for Janaury. The video (or pdf version) is free to view but you must register. Find the information online at www.mgresearch.net. The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis has partnered with MarketGraphics for many years to conduct research on the Central Indiana new home market. Indianapolis specific research is available for a subscription fee through the Association. Contact Barbara Zoderer at 317-236-6330 for details.
BAGI Construction scholarship application online
Posted by: | CommentsThe Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis announces applications for the 2009 scholarship awards are available.
Since 1989, the Builders Association has offered scholarships to encourage students to pursue careers in the residential building industry. The program has awarded over $251,000 to 241 recipients.
The Builders Association has two scholarship funds; the H.F. Tim Hines Scholarship and the Richard Sapp Scholarship. To be eligible for a scholarship, students must be at least a senior in high school and be in good standing with the school. Student must also be a legal resident of the State of Indiana and enrolled in a construction technology or related construction field of study. The deadline to apply for Builders Association scholarships is Monday, March 2, 2009.
Applicants are judged on academic achievement, prior work experience in the area of construction technology, specific career objectives and recommendations of faculty and employers. Financial information is used as secondary criteria in the selection process. Awards are no less than $500 per school year and are non-renewable, although past recipients may reapply each year. Emphasis is placed on candidates interested in working in residential construction in the Central Indiana area.
Applications are available at the financial aid office or the construction department at area colleges. Interested applicants can also download the application forms here. For more information contact the Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis at (317) 236-6330 or info@bagi.com.
Beazer Homes thanks local realtor
Posted by: | Comments
Beazer Homes USA, Inc., a top-10 national homebuilder, is pleased to announce Deborah Denman of Century 21 Realty Group 1, as one of five lucky grand prize winners in the Beazer Top Agent National Realtor promotion.
The winning agents were randomly selected from more than 2,200 entries received during a 75-day promotion (Sept. 1 – Nov. 15, 2008) that spanned 24 markets. The grand prize winners receive an all-expense paid weekend trip for two to the New York City, including round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations and dinner reservations at Top Chef season No. 1 winner Harold Dieterle’s critically-acclaimed restaurant, Perilla.
“The Top Agent promotion is just one way we’re thanking real estate agents for their support and partnership,” said Bruce Craig, president of Beazer Homes’ Indianapolis division. “The entire Realtor community is an integral part of our success here in Indianapolis.”
“Beazer builds a fabulous home and their entire team here in Indianapolis is a pleasure to work with,” said Deborah Denman, who has been an Indianapolis-area Realtor for more than 10 years. “They really understand customer service and go the extra mile to ensure the home buying process is as smooth as possible for my clients. I am thrilled to win a trip to New York City and am looking forward to seeing the sites.”
To ensure their New York City weekend is truly memorable, each grand prize winner can choose from a number of tour package options, including Broadway show tickets, a visit to the Statue of Liberty, shopping tours or a horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park, among other tourist attractions.
In addition to showing appreciation for real estate agent participation in the sale of its new homes, Beazer used the promotion to spotlight its relationship with Chef Dieterle, the newest member of its SMARTDESIGN team of experts. The restaurateur, who won the first season of the popular Bravo network program Top Chef, is offering his expertise to Beazer’s planning and design team and demonstrating his culinary prowess at Realtor-only events in select communities throughout the year.
